Everyone knows the State Fair of Texas is a fun-filled experience that creates memories to last a lifetime. However, not everyone knows that the State Fair, as part of its nonprofit mission, provides a plethora of educational opportunities, offering experiences that simply cannot be replicated in a traditional classroom setting.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Community involvement at the Fair is a great representation of what it means to create a unique learning experience that everyone can benefit from. Schools and organizations often take advantage of our Big Tex Workplace Tours, facilitated by our Community Affairs department, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to create the magic of the Most Texan Place on Earth®. Attendees have the chance to interact with multiple departments, gaining an inside scoop on specific employees’ scopes of work and the roles they play in getting the beloved annual 24-day exposition up and running by Opening Day.
BIG TEX URBAN FARMS
Big Tex Urban Farms® is much more than a foundation for produce donation; it provides numerous educational opportunities for students to learn more about agriculture. Since 2023, in partnership with Dallas ISD CityLab High School, the Farms has hosted students in a five-month Cohort that focuses on all aspects of urban agriculture offered at the Farms. With the program’s success, the cohort is now offered twice a year for students at CityLab High School. Additionally, Big Tex Urban Farms offers specialized workshops that focus on specific aspects of agriculture, such as Microgreen Mondays and Fungi Fridays.
EXHIBITS AND MUSEUMS
Located throughout the fairgrounds are places of interest that serve not only as historic landmarks but also as creative ways to teach fairgoers about topics they may not have previously had the chance to explore in depth. The African American Museum provides an opportunity to learn about African American history and culture by connecting stories, art, and artifacts from the past to highlight the struggles and triumphs that have shaped the nation we know today.
In addition, visit the Hall of State for Mundo Latino: Día de los Muertos, presented by the Law Offices of Domingo Garcia. Previously housed in the Women’s Museum, Mundo Latino showcases their awe-inspiring exhibit, “Día de los Muertos,” celebrating the rich history and significance of the Day of the Dead through art installations, shopping opportunities, face painting, and more.
Also, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, guests can find exhibits around the grounds that honor this significant milestone, like the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) House, an exhibit that shares the history and hardships women and girls experienced during the American Revolution, as well as the Freedom250 Mobile Education Truck, a traveling mobile exhibit with an immersive experience for Americans of all ages, with a special emphasis on interactive content for school-aged students. Covering various aspects of American history, fairgoers can view the wall of American Heroes, learn more about the road to the Constitution, and more.
LIVESTOCK ATTRACTIONS
With agriculture as another main pillar of the Fair’s mission, several entertaining and educational exhibits can be found around the grounds, giving fairgoers knowledge about the industry and the role it has in our everyday lives.
Located next to the Leonhardt Lagoon, Big Tex’s Discovery Farm provides an educational experience through interactive exhibits as well as live animal displays, including calves, piglets, and hatching chicks. Learn all about agriculture and its impact on the state of Texas, from the importance of farming and ranching to the process of raising and caring for animals.
The livestock birthing barn is a unique educational experience located on Nimitz Avenue that exhibits the incubation and birthing process of various livestock animals, including piglets, calves, and more.
Get a glimpse of life on the farm by attending one of the Milking Parlor Demonstrations. Cows from nearby farms are brought to the Fair for an entertaining and educational exhibit of modern milking procedures.
